Schemes in the Land of Hot Water

No one knows what Orochimaru and Kato Osamu talked about; even Kabuto simply stayed in the Land of Rice Fields following Kato Osamu's orders.

Perhaps out of curiosity about his teacher's teacher, Kabuto didn't both respect and fear Orochimaru like the others in the base. Instead, he often tried to find out about Kato Osamu's past from Orochimaru.

Perhaps without realizing it, Kato Osamu's silhouette seemed to have become the goal he constantly pursued.

Kato Osamu was unaware of all this; he had only been away from the Land of Rice Fields for a short time when the Void-Dust Ring in his hand suddenly emitted a fluctuation.

"Obito Uchiha...?"

With a slight frown, he slowly immersed his mind into the Void-Dust Ring. In the illusory space, Obito Uchiha's figure slowly emerged. In the strange void, his face was not visible, and only his Obito Uchiha could be roughly seen.

"This technique does have some mysterious aspects..."

Kato Osamu's figure appeared. He slowly surveyed his surroundings, sensing the familiar Yin–Yang Release aura within.

Although they have not yet met, they can already glean from this Nagato Uzumaki, who possesses the Rinnegan, has already attained an extremely high level of Yin–Yang Release.

"It really took a lot of effort to find you..."

Obito Uchiha had just left the Land of Grass. Although his main purpose was to see Rin, he also had some minor issues to discuss with Kato Osamu. However, despite seemingly settling in the Land of Grass, he had found it extremely difficult to locate Kato Osamu in the Land of Grass over the years.

"Didn't White Zetsu tell you where I went? If I remember correctly, there were several suspicious figures hiding in the corners on the way to the Land of Rice Fields..."

"So Orochimaru was in the Land of Rice Fields..."

"As you know, the number of White Zetsu is limited. If we could spread them throughout the Shinobi World, we could start a war against the Five Great Shinobi Villages right now..."

Kato Osamu listened to Obito Uchiha's 'hysterical talk' with a slight smile, remaining noncommittal and waiting for him to reveal his true purpose.

"You probably won't be interested in some of Konoha's information..."

"However, there's one thing you might want to know..."

Seeing Kato Osamu looking at him, Obito Uchiha smiled. He was quite looking forward to how this spur-of-the-moment idea would develop.

"Someone is secretly investigating Kusagakure, especially gathering information about you..."

Kato Osamu frowned slightly, his eyes showing little emotion. Such incidents had occurred countless times since he settled in Kusagakure.

At least in the eyes of Konoha's higher-ups, it was no secret that he was staying in Kusagakure; they just turned a blind eye for various reasons.

"If it's just intelligence gathering, it seems like someone is doing it every day..."

"This person is different; I plan to recruit her into the Akatsuki..."

Obito Uchiha's words made Kato Osamu stare at him for a moment, seemingly pondering something. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke.

So, his name is...

"Mei Terumi..."

"Oh?"

Kato Osamu vaguely remembered this woman; she was a young lady from a prominent family in Kirigakure, seemingly quite powerful, and a dual-bloodline ninja. Recalling this woman's information, Kato Osamu looked at Obito Uchiha and said:

"That... 'rogue ninja'?"

"I think you should understand that her purpose in using the name of Kirigakure is simply to gather information about the Akatsuki..."

Don't tell me you can't even see these things...

So... what are your real thoughts...?

"It's indeed too clumsy. If I'm not mistaken, it was probably this woman's own idea. Those old guys in the Terumi Family wouldn't use such childish methods..."

However, as you said, her goal is to gather intelligence, so we have to make her understand something...

"Such a major event has occurred in Kirigakure. Since she doesn't believe the official Mist Shinobi account, it means that not everyone will believe the so-called 'truth' circulating... especially people from the other four great ninja villages..."

"Use her to leak some trivial information, temporarily appeasing these remnants of the old era. I believe that with her identity, the 'top-secret' information she gathers while undercover will be regarded as gospel by many self-righteous people..."

"In addition, we are still missing some people, and her strength certainly qualifies her to become a member of Akatsuki."

Whatever she wants to do, as long as she can be used by us, isn't that enough?

Kato Osamu looked at Obito Uchiha. Although it was an illusion, he could sense a hint of pride on Obito Uchiha's face, as if Obito himself was proud of having come up with such a plan.

However, this is indeed a good plan...

"A very good plan. Any intelligent person wouldn't believe what others tell them, but they have unwavering faith in the truth they've uncovered..."

With a strange smile playing on her lips, Kato Osamu quietly looked at Obito Uchiha's face. "Obito Uchiha, you're becoming more and more like a villain..."

"Villain? Perhaps I can understand it as a synonym for evil, but I've never considered myself to be one..."

"Perhaps, one day, I came to understand a truth: this world has no truth, and that is the only truth. All rules are nothing more than the will of the strong..."

"You should know what I'm talking about..."

Obito Uchiha's voice faded, the space fell silent, without a sound. Obito Uchiha looked into Kato Osamu's eyes, which revealed an unprecedented determination.

"I will change this world, and even create a new world!"

With a slight smile, Kato Osamu didn't refute Obito Uchiha: "Perhaps, at this moment, I should look at you with admiration and longing, it would probably be better if..."

"Haha, that's quite an undeniable statement... However, if that's the case, I probably won't be as happy as I imagine..."

"However, since you agree, then it's settled. I'll speak to Nagato about it..."

"I feel more at ease having you watching over someone who's not exactly 'one of us'... It just so happens that everyone in the organization works in pairs..."

"I will subtly reveal your whereabouts to her... If all goes well, she should find you in the Land of Hot Water..."

"Hmm?" Kato Osamu seemed to have heard something unpleasant and paused, wondering what Obito Uchiha was talking about.

"You know I'm going to the Land of Hot Water?"

"Hidan's immortality... Many people have information about you, but they don't understand you enough..."

"Like Orochimaru, he has an obsession with immortality..."

Obito Uchiha seemed certain of his guess. Kato Osamu narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed that he had underestimated everyone. Since Obito Uchiha could guess his actions, he couldn't be the only one.

After thinking about the information he exchanged with Orochimaru in the Land of Rice Fields, Kato Osamu pursed his lips slightly, then suddenly grinned, revealing a half-smile.

"It seems I've been seen through..."

"Then, I accept this 'mission' from Mei Terumi..."

"It won't be too simple... After all, given her background, if she joins too easily, she'll become suspicious..."

Kato Osamu's figure gradually disappeared into the space, leaving only Obito Uchiha standing quietly in place, seemingly still pondering Kato Osamu's last words.

"Isn't it immortality, or rather, more than just immortality..."

"Kato Osamu, your plan is really well-hidden..."

The voice was low and deep, Obito Uchiha. Before anyone knew it, Obito Uchiha's figure had vanished from this hidden space. The desolate, illusory space was gradually swallowed by endless darkness, devoid of any light...